SD1848. Alfred Moulton-Barrett to Septimus Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 21, 381 (in part).
Marseilles
11 August 1855
My dear Sept,
Many, many thanks for your kind and generous letter– If I have taken a step at variance with your earnest & pressing solicitations, it has not been from any wish to treat your sound good sense with indifference—that would be the very last thing I would do—but it has been done because I believe, on the one hand that my circumstances warrant it, that thereby I shall not spend one |Stiva| more than I did before—that my employment will be a lasting one; and on the other hand because each day the more & more satisfied me that it would be the only step that could make Lizzie really happy– She dreaded my quarters being changed—that I might be sent to Constantinople, Malta etc—with greater difficulties in reaching me– We have now had a weeks experience of house keeping & I assure you the difference of expense is ridiculously small– Two pence worth more of Eggs and a penny extra of goats milk per diem comprises all– Butter is a rare thing with us—and fruit, in the shape of peaches from our own trees, forms Lizzie’s chief subsistence—however she is looking uncommonly well—greatly improved in appearance & manner since she left Wimpole Street—and I believe you will go many a days march before you will get such a good looking female in our family– I have not shown her off yet—the priests wife & daughters called yesterday—& tomorrow we make our first appearance at Church– I flatter myself she stands No I in the English Beauties of Marseilles– For the last twelve months of her stay in Dublin, she has been taking lessons in water colours. The master was good & the portfolio we brought with us from Paris shows that the pupil has not been idle– I am going to get her to take a view from our garden & will send it to you– The fact is I am as proud as I am spooney– I have had a letter from Edward [George Barrett] today—which I will send in a day or two– He begins “If it will afford you satisfaction, as I think it will, to learn that my sister’s marriage has my full & cordial approval, that satisfaction is yours to the utmost– She could have accepted no person in whose hands I shd more willingly place her happiness.” There never was a kinder letter. Every word of it shows that our marriage meets with his entire approval– He urges saving– He is always harping upon that matter—however with us it is essential—& we are now, as I was before, most particular that not one sou escapes us– I am most delighted that he should have written as he has to the Governor– Surely if the Governor’s sole objection to our marriage was my debts; or rather if he would probably have given his consent had I had no debts—when by prudence & hard work I have no debts may we not hope he will forgive us– I know Capt Barrett was his very greatest friend—that Lizzie was met with his sincerest affection—that Edward is very determined to gain peace if he can & with these points, I do dare to hope that in course of time I shall be squatting up in the old smoking room again; but not getting over the area railings—those days are past–
I have had a very kind note from |Nickle|—I mean to answer it in a day or two—but at present I have got a long winded return to make for the War office & besides to see various parties safely shipped off for Constantinople– You know far more of the War than ever I do– The news goes to London viâ Marseilles—is published in the London papers & then extracted into those of this place– All the news I get is from letters I may receive myself– The word here will have it that General Markham is to succeed Simpson; if that be the case J. Hedley stands a good chance of an A.D.C. does he not?
I shall write to George in a day or so—he, I am afraid, will be fearfully angry with me– I bind myself most solemnly not to let the event increase my expenditure—all will go much better than you anticipate– True it is I am not able to rest idle– I have no funded property—my wife—bless her old bones—has more than you think in expectancy & we shall manage to rub on, after our own fashion, in a very respectable way– I must tell you how tremendously pleased Liz was with your kind message to her– She is going to tell you herself what she thinks of it– We were delighted to see how very much better your handwriting was—& as |Nickle| says nothing of you we expect to hear that you are quite convalescent– I suppose Harry has had an idle time of it this season, as every one tells me that London has been very dull. There is a huge heiress here half an Englishwoman & a “Protestant”– She is really good looking & sings like a nightingale– I recommend her to Harry–
Our united love to you & all our fraternity–
Ever believe me
My dear Sept
Yrs most affectly
Alfred.
the Benedict
Would you give the enclosed to old no-such-a-thing & Arabel
Address: Londres / Septimus J. Barrett Esq / 50 Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
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